Aideen woke from sleep in a most disturbed manner. Her visions were becomming more and more potent and it became clear to her her that she could now see things that others could not. She sought answers but feared the anger of the elders and their superstition which might lead them to the belief that she was indeed cursed.
She kept to herslef all morning trying to pay no heed to the little creature that stole the remainders of the night's bread nor to the little winged embodiment of mischeviouness that pulled the thread out of Myrna's needle everytime she got ready to sew.

At noon, the group gathered in the woods near the Hall there to find a suitable tree from which the image of the Goddess would be carved. The High Priests led the way through the soft shrubs and undergrowth till they came to smooth and somewhat thick trunked tree. The crown was perfectly shaped and was filled fully with juicy green foliage. The Priests, forming a circle round the tree, began the ritual chanting - it was a request to all the invisble beings who lived in the tree to grant permission for its ritual use. The chanting was hypnotic...the soudns rose through the air and created a magical aura and all felt a presence of the supreme. Aideen, whose eyes were till now fixed to the ground, looked up and the sight left her awestruck.

As she stood glaring at the tree, all the little creatures were flying out of it and finding new positions in other trees. The entire tree glowed as these Gands, as they were called in folk tales, took with them thier mini magical auras. Some glowed blue...some green....some a brilliant red. As they flew through the air to the nearby trees they left behind them silvery trails of supernatural essence and Aideen stood transfixed. In a small, almost high pitched voice that trembled she spoke to Helena who stood beside her, "There are creatures...things...flying out of this tree. I mean, they are really actually flying around!" Her anxiety felt a splash of cold water from the deadly sarcastic look on Helena's face," When will you grow up?" Scoffing inaudibly she turned away.

Aideen was convinced that she was completely insane...that she must have consumed some occult herb that confused her thus....but then she saw a little Gand...he looked like a Gandling almost. He had a gentle yellow aura and the tiniest ears one could ever imagaine. This little fellow seemed unable to fly very well - when he perched at the edge of a branch and fluttered his wings as best as he could....he was barely lifted off his feet. Instead, he lost balance and toppled over the side and now he was clingiong on to a twig for dear life. His expresion was contorted as he struggled, fluttering his young wins in vain.
Thinking him to be utterly harmless, Aideen stepped foward tentativly and stretched out her hand beneath him...lifting gently till he was secure in her palm. The reality struck her like a bath of cooling water and her entire being felt alive. She giggled and his wings tickled her fingers and her very heart melted at his innocent expressions of gratitude. Reaching over to a nearby shrub, she placed him there, and though still uncertain about this odd ability she felt better....especially since everyones atention was now centered on the fire sacrifice being made before the cutting of the tree began.

The winds blew gently, weaving in and out of the slender branches. It took the delicate locks of hair from her head and played them across her face...It caressed her neck then stole her veil and carried it off away from the group. She reached out after it but it moved as with a will of its own. Looking back at the group, Aideen, percieving their preoccupation with the rituals, decided to run after her veil that now took to flying once more.
The sound of water came to her ear...gentle drops....soothing pouring...the veil taking one last lunge upward fell gracefully, softly upon the serenity that was the pool of Lile.
It floated upon the waters, a translucent, pink elegance...floated to the other end where Aideen percieved a bower of luxirant, dark green vines. Sporadic blooms of brilliant crimson dotted the gracefull tendrils and stalks and they were parted such that the inside of the bowerd was visible to her.
The water's edge had continued to the far end of the bower such that the bower itself formed a canopy over a smalle part of the pool. And in there reclind the sensuous Lile. Her attendents poured cascades of water from silver jars onto her lithe body. The water fell...trikled down her curves in transparent bliss as each ripple caressed her supple, white skin.
The veil had come to her...and Aideen stood paralysed by the beauty that was before her. In this enchanting scene- with the lake a placid mirror...edged with white, full blown lilies and the darkest green leaves...a pair of swans dance 'pon the surface ... languid necks interlocking in chaste consumation. - there she was this goddess, this nymph of the pool waited upon by lesser but still magnificent beauties. Aideen's very breathing slowed and she stood in eager anticipation.

Lile rose from her reclined position...rose till her feet just touched the gentle ripples of the pool...then moved above the water hold the veil in her hand....moved over to Aideen.

Aingeal

The Sky was dark. Heavy clouds blillowed in thier fury with angry eyes of lightning. His voice was deafening. His tone percise, his very visage shrouded by his tense state. "You gave her the vision?!!!!" The heavens rumbled and rain poured forth...the stormy winds tearing through the trees.
"I have done as I desired. Hate me not for being close to fullfilment of such...hate me not because you have lost out on your petty love"
"LILE!! How dare you speak to me such accents? You have yet to feel the power of my fury. With but a thought from me and your silly litle pool would be emptied in a heartbeat!"
"I dare you! I dare you, you arrogant wretch! Empty the pool...then where shall you meet your beloved? *mocking* For silent, burning kisses. You would spend the eternity alone." Her last words she hissed. But as she percieved the hurt in his eyes...the shattering of his ego at the very thought of never meeting his lover...the very crumbling of his being, her features softend and she spoke controlled, almost lovingly,"Dear dear boy. Sweet Aingeal, I have never before seen you this angry...what means this turmoil that boils within you? You know better than I the consequence of love. You understand the process of fate...yet you chastise my desires."

Aingeal's turmoil abated...the winds calmed but the clouds remained heavy and grey.
"Does she mean that much to you? that you risk her safety? the safety of those under our protection?"
Her reply came soothingly but deliberately,"I have compromised no one. I sensed her presence since she set foot upon these lands. *with a long sigh* Aideen....Aideen...her beauty, her character all struck me like the lighting stirkes the earth. I longed to be with her...so passionately that in my mirror of the world I saw only her...but she was mortal. *taking a deep breath* So I chose to give her the vision. I intend to request the the council of the Elements give her immortality."

"So rash! So unthinking?" Shock played upon Aingeal's face,"She is a Mortal woman, with mortal desires. Soon that rogue will bed her then the vision is lost to him! You know that as well as I do...mortal women *scoff* lack the power to keep the vision from a man in the bed!"

"She loves him not. When she came into my pool, I entered her mind. Therein I saw the most unbelievable pain, confusion. She feels an obligation to be with him - there is no love - she will not surrender to him her pride."

"Ahh but how are you sure that she will surrender it you?" His eyes narrowed.

"What is it? What is it that you have against this woman?? You are calm by nature. Your control over the air and wind demands it! What do you see in her...what do you feel that makes you this unsettled?" Lile pleaded.

The Skies cleared. A gentle breeze blew and Aingeal's soft round features returned. He moved silently to the end of the stone circle and look out over the island below them. "I saw her when she landed with the royal family. Immediately I sensed the presence of the Essence within her but I could not understand it. I brought her scarf to my hand that she may come near to me and be alone that I may see her face. It was her. It is her...Cairenn" He let the initial shock settle in then continued,"When I made myeslf visible to her, she froze and I knew that it had to be Cairenn..we felt that bond between us...the bond of the Essence that you nor I can deny...Then that rogue came up behind her and it was ended."

"But are you sure? After so many years? Why would she be re-incarnated after so long....the cycle has been over - why this need for it to begin again?"

He turned to face her,"I do not know. We will have to confront the oracle of the Goddess to get any knowledge of the cycle. But I do know that it is Cairenn. And by giving her the vision you have first of all scared her - she knows nothing of us save tales told round fires. And secondly she is now vulnerable to that man. You must meet her by some means...educate her...then.." He shrugged as though helpless. "Then come what may...the cycle must begin."

"Bring her to me then. You know that I am unable to leave the confines of my pool save to come here...you are the only one with the power of free travel...so I beg of you, bring her to me. I will show her the nymphs, the glow-creatures and all of our dependents. I will teach her through warm kisses the delight of my love that she will think of no man...I will be hers"

Forever the wise one," Must you get carried away? Let not this love blind you as it did me. Do not put yourself in my position...step with care. I will bring her to you...soon. Your duty calls..return to your abode and I to mine"

Her very form dissolved into a stream and she left for her pool. Aingeal looked around the stone circle...the mist below flew gently by and the stone beams rose commandingly. He spread his wings and set forth to his lofty peak...there to reminisce...

The beautiful Mystic

When consciousness returned it was a haze of intoxcated confusion. She was lying against a tree trunk with her dress thrown over her body in a manner that concealed her modesty. Aidan stood a few feet away looking penetratingly into the crystaline water - he noticed a current of an incomming stream - but nowhere could see water actually leave the pool...

Aideen dressed quickly and saying not a single word to him turned to leave. As he was about to follow her, a rustle caught his ear and a sudden movement caught his eye- he turned round to face the mountainous background of the pool. High up, several feet up the steep jagged, stony slope in a crevice he saw the stranger from the beach. He was perched almost; crouched up there with massive currents of wind blowing his hair wildly about him. As Aidan called out to him in his most demanding voice a cloud hid the sun and in the sudden darkness the stranger dissappeared. The flutter of wings echoed...
Perciveing the suspicious, Aidan's eyes narrowed; he spun round violently and sprang into motion almost leaving the still standing, still staring Aideen behind. the stranger was still there...or was he?
Aidan clutched her arm and pulled her back to the encampment questioning her sanity and reason. Was she completely insane to leave on her own? Didn't she know that her honour...and above all his honour was at stake? Foolish woman!

That evening the group gathered round the hearth in the grand hall. Huge windows to the west let the sun's setting glory into the room and Helena stood at one of them gazing at a flock of birds flying down to the trees for the night; amazed, envious at their freedom.
Myrna sensed that something unusual occured that day; something between Aidan and Aideen...they did sit together this evening - but Aideen's eyes did not belong to Aidan - indeed, they possessed a glossy appearence that came with vision that was lost elsewhere....something, someonelse was in her mind....

Taking this into account, she thought the tonight she would tell the tale of the beautiful Mystic...it was a traditional myth handed down through the years and she enjoyed its didactic and entertaing qualities :

"There was one. He was among the detached of the world. Denying food, clothing and shelter, he sought out the untamed paths of the forests...sought out the cold caves and crevices and there he contemplated the divine. For years would he meditate upon the supreme energies of the universe and over time he gathered within his being a divine aura and a splendid beauty. His face became as smooth as sixteen years...his hair long and wavy locks fell darkly round his slender frame. And as he roamed the forests in his nudity all creatures fell enchanted by his form.
He passed by a gathering of sages one day. It was a hermitage of sorts and therein stayed the sages and their families...there wives. One woman saw him. Her heart raced...her eyes became fixed upon his image...she fell into a trance- like obsession with is supreme beauty such that she ran out of the hermitage in pursuit of him. Wondering what was wrong, the other women looked out after her..and cathcing but a mere glimpse of his frame they too fell in raptures and ran out after him.
The sages at once feared for their honour and summoned their wives to their side....none heeded!
They created then a square altar in the earth and by thier cosmic powers placed within its heart a fire strong and furious. Pouring oblations into it, they summoned forth the destruction of the wild mystic that thus enchanted their wives. Out of the fire came a red-hot trident...seething with fury and might it flew forth of its own will and sought the Mystic. He sensed danger...spun round and clutched it in his hands...immediately paccified it fell lifeless at his feet. Thinking it to be a usefull waepon he took hold of it in his left hand and anticipated the next attack.
It was a lion roaring wildly, charging madly...possesed by the energy of the fire - Within minutes it lay dead at the Mystic's feet...a victim of the trident...its skin he tore away and kept as a mat for his meditations. Meawhile, the wives of the sages sat round him and drunk through their eyes his sweet beauty...their sighs were musical and their beings aglow with radiant pleasure.
The sages summoned forth every other weapon..animal...goblin...demon from the fire but they all turned their services to the all powerfull Mystic.
In the end, to regain thier wives, to again possess some honour, the sages were all forced to propitiate the Mystic and seek his favour - which he granted readily...for he, being a detached one...had no worldly desires...no need for the pleasures of women. Utterring a charm he released the women from the spell that kept them enchanted with his form and the sages thereafter perpetuated his worship."

She paused to breathe. The gathering sat silent. The tale was not a new one but her voice, her tone held such sway over their minds that they too sat enrapt. Only Aidan's gaze was bowed low. She continued,"So, my dear one, Aidan, should you honour be challenged, how would you react?"
"No Mystic exists that can challenge the strength of my arm."
"To which arm do you refer?" Helena taunted with the voice of the harlot. A scoff was all that came from him as left the group and sought lonliness for his thoughts.
Myrna chuckled lightly at his rash youth and the vison of age warned her of turbulence to come.
With that came the night...but no sleep came to Aideen. She became bombarded with visions...creatures with wings...little glowing things and then the One...broad shoulders...soft features, glowing complection..the smile of a god... and the wings of the swan...

A veil of mist hung tenderly over the forests. The royal family of Misty Glen gathered that morning on the beach were making prepartions for the next move. This was their pilgrimage that occured once every ten years...Myrna could only remember being on four of them and this was Aideen's first. They had come in boats across the dark lake to the island that lay a jewel in its heart. From the coast they were to move inland toward a plateau where halls were built decades ago to house the worshippers and a ceremonial platform was circled by ancient trees.

The journey inland would take but half of a day and was a mild upill climb that the children would make with great ease. Aidan was once more at the head, as the set forth into the deep forests lit now by feeble rays of morning sunlight. The path had been cleared earlier by the first group of men such that the walk became a pleasant strool through the body of the goddess. Her hair fell about them in the stray creepers adorned with white scented flowers...they saw the brilliance of her eyes in the light that shone through the dense canopy...they heard her whisper among the creatures and felt her embrace in the gentle wind.
The children collected pebbles and oddly shaped leaves along the way and the pockets were bulging by midday when the grand Hall came into view.

Built of grey stones, chiseled to perfection it stood commandingly on the plateau. Dense ivy grew along the walls and borderd the windows. Birds flew round it and a serene aura hovered. The sky was a perfect blue and the sun shone intensely above. Beads of sweat trickled down his smooth, angular face as Aidan's eyes drunk the sensuous perfection of Aideen's lithe body...her hair now tied up in the noonday heat.

The group set down the bundles that they had brought and began settling in. The halls were opened for air....blankets laid out on the bed stands....cushions thrown around the hearth for the evenings...fresh water brought in to wash away the time from kitchen utensils...with this being done by the others, a fatigued and incredibly hot Aideen was tempted away from the group to the pool of water just about a fifteen minutes' walk away from the Hall.
Trusting that all was in the capable hands of Helena and Aidan, she stole away into the woods.

Making her way throught the thick undergrowth to the pool she felt a mild thrill run through her body at the thought of being alone...being someplace where none knew she would be. Excitment lit up her eyes and her perception of the pool with the rising stony mountain to the farside of it was unbelievable. A large stone jutted out from the moutain at the base and into the placid water. Lilies bloomed and watery shrubs formed a charming border.
She removed her clothes...let fall her hair down her back and round her face and took timid steps into the cool water. Delicious shivers ran through her being and cooling waves dispelled the heat of the day.
She swam into the centre of the pool then made her way to the stone that stood in the midst of a splendid ray of sunlight ... she spread her languid limbs there and basked in the warmth from above..leaving her toes to kiss the waters surrounding her.

Aidan perciveing her absense from the group felt the pang of possesivness grip his throat and a need to know her loaction ravaged him. He plunged into the woods and followed the rough path she had made...to the pool. Stealthy steps like the cats of the jungle....narrow eyes beneath angular eyebrows...red lips stretched thin...he crouched behind some shrubs and percived her beauty and felt her beauty through his insatiable eyes. The heat of the day caused sweat to run down his chest now bare to the random breezes of the jungle...his face flushed with the passion of deisre for a body left open upon a stone...such desire that peaked to crescendos unimaginable...that led to the frustration that comes when release is clutched by norms that prevented it.

Then the water level creepd above her toes touching now her ankle and her body arched upwards. Surges of energy ravaged her and her eylids flutterd...she trembled, her face flushed pink and immense pleasure overcome her then she fell back onto the stone - intoxicated.
This display caused Aidan to dart foward from his hiding spot and his sudden noise made her turn round quickly and shield her beauty. She saw him. Her features creased into a frown as she jumped into the water to conceal herself from the lust of him who she percived as an intruder.
But other things came into her range of vision. She shook her head...batted her eyelids and looked again. They were there! Little things...creatures almost.
Wings...little lights...daze...mind spinning...collapse.

Aidan waded into the waters and brought out her limp body in his hard arms and set her head down....

Reminisce C

The Hours go by so quickly that time itself becomes not eternal but transient. I stop. Everything speeds by me and in a blur I stand, the observer.
My perception slows - I reach out and catch the rain drops in my hand as tears from above. People walk by in their colours; the scarves, their shirts filled with wind.
The woman on the corner...stocking clad legs long, brilliatly red nails with the cig wedged between. Poppy red lips pouted; thin, lazy filaments of smoke emerge into the dense air and dissapears. Such is life, such is the past- that it happens and then its over - with nothing but a heavy scent left behind; a reminder of things gone by.

To reminisce. To be once more in the company of the cherished group of elite; and be as carefree as the school boy whose greatest concern goes not beyond dealing with 'evil' teachers. ;) not even.
We were once one. And we remain.

I miss you people so bloody much - its unreal...its an empty feeling; the knowledge that those who have become all but biologically part of you are just so far away...such that moving on becomes near impossible - simply because nobody can ever match your worth.

Autumn Rains

It is the darkening evening. As is typical of Montreal Rain, it rains incessantly but mildly such that it appears that the world is clouded by a veritable mist. It is cold. The wind sneaks beneath the jacket and kisses with shivers.

It is a delicious cold. One to which you open your eyes and inhale to let every pore become splendidly refreshed. It is a cold that makes the face feel alive. It is the shades of the rainy evening that lend greyness to perception.

I stand on the street corner, awaiting the opportunity to cross...the streelight above me goes on. It is a dim orange and lends this haloed image to my immediate surrounding. It feels warm...almost a magical as the drops of water becom illumined as they fall - jewels from above.

I make my way to the underground tunnels that lead to the metro station. Its an entire replica of the world above. The stores all open with their bounty overflowing. The potent fragrace of coffee and the sensual smell of cinamon that one can almost taste 'pon the tongue.
The wild fragrance of citrus from the juice stall and the foresty odour of the flower shop.
The dim lights of the cafes near the train station and the haunting melodies emanating from random speakers.

The paintings...the saxaphonist chucked into an empty corner, the guitarist in the aisle.
The rush of warm air that hits your face as you enter the metro area...unbearably warm!

Streams of people running by...gathered at the train line as though gathered on the shore of some river...a journey to be taken.
The distant rumble now faint...like a mild recollection when one hears a familiar song.

Then the Torrentious noise of the train storming forth to greet its people - the flood of memory when a visage is beheld.
Then the journey home...a journey in time, the reliving of an experience of a life that once was but is no more.

And home...where we sink beneath our blankets, into the warmth of our bedfull of dreams...then to tommorrow when we will spin more memories to pass the white hours.

One Life.

As one wanders thorugh the first world mindlessly; in search of the warmth of the sun's rays; in search of the familiarity of smiles, one may wonder at the sheer emptiness of concrete aisles and paved streets...at the echo through long, incredibly straight allies.

But here too one finds beauty. There is a serenity in the heights of the skyscraper that challenges the world, that dares to conquer nature as it were. There is an egotistic pleasure derived from one's reflection on the walls, on the glass windows and shiny doors.
There is a flair in the individuality of those who surround. The role of 'observer' becomes graciously accepted and magnificently rewarded; for people are beautiful.

This creation. The human body; its curves, its recesses...its subtle features capture the essence of beauty and lends itself marvellously to perfection. The adornments...the colour, the lack of colour...the piercings delicately placed...the art burnt into enternity 'pon the skin...all make this creation the more valued.

For what is more boring than the multitudes of conformity?...were we all nude, what redundance there would be! The philosopher says to deny material attachment, to rid one's mind of hedonistic desires..
I say indulge.
Take on the pleasure of the world as the beneveloence of the creator. See that sensual awakenings, the material bonds are all emobodiments of the eternal energy that pervades.

Feel the heat of the lights on the runway as you strut with pride in every step. With the knowledge that you carry beauty itself in your chest; that you are desired by those who see, you are wanted, craved for.
Hear the applause, the infatuated screams of the crowds and let it make your head spin. Be tied by that illusion that is this world and enojy it.

Fall in love with the physical, with the chiseled features of a face, with the colour of the eyes, with the taste of the lips, with the sensuality that becomes the body.

Caress. Kiss. Breathe.

Get lost in the arms of another and let the bond that forms be your God.

LIVE.

Amazing how home becomes remembered.

How going there mentally can be so secure and warm...can give one the energy to continue. It is a dimly lit haven, a nest, an embrace - such is home. My home - to be the circle of arms and the warmth of a kiss.


Myrna's tales were almost always seasoned with experience. She wore her age like a royal garment. The wrinkles, the folds all added to her serene authority as the elder, as the Queen. Her small, round face, her thin, translucent skin...radiated warmth, dignity while her eyes, gentle pools of wisdom and her broad white smile made her the mother of all.

Her tale that night was not told of her experience; but as the royal family (she being the head), was gathered for the festival of the goddess, she chose a more traditional myth to re-tell. Her smooth voice was carried through the dense night and through the leaves and creepers of the nearby forests. Lending such serenity to the evening, it brought upon the listeners tranquility...such that even the children were still, captured in the battles of her tale...marvelling at the heroic slaying of the twin demons by the great goddess.

The night passed. Morning came from the ocean's horizon and gently woke the encampment. It was decided that after a brief breakfast the men would go out into the forests and hills in search of added sources of water and food as they were to spend nine nights there. Aidan would lead.

While he would here nothing of it, Helena was determined to join them and gather for herself the ritual requirements- shee needed none to clear the path for her. Indeed she carried her royal blood well..it flushed through her being as her vibrant independence, radiant health and lithe limbs. Her sister Aideen, the milder of the two; some may even say 'the sweeter' of the two- stayed at the camp to aid the old Myrna with the care of the children.

The waves thundered on the shore...and bade good fortune. Spotting a white butterfly, Aideen felt the thrill of superstition run through her veins, telling her that today would be indeed revealing.

The moon tore through the clouds and the piercing beams lit up a face that seemed the very eptiome of beauty. His complection was radiant, almost milky white and reflected magically the silver beams from above. Long, dark locks of hair fell to his shoulders and were gently blown across his face by the icy wind - often veiling for mere seconds his deep eyes that appeared as pools of fathomless history.

His soft features climaxed to a tenderly rounded nose and virginally pink lips parted slightly that his breath became visible in transient clouds in the chilled atmosphere.

Aideen had broken away from the group in pursuit of her scarf and now stood before him, veritably transfixed by his powerful vision. There was an impenetrable silence as he held out the soft, embroidered cloth to her. She took it not. She simply stood there. Some power unearthly surrounded the two and an aura of white energy encompassed their beings.
They felt alomst bound...bodies weightless, feet barely touching the ground ... on some unnatural boundary of levitation.

Then it broke.

Aidan had aprroached from behind her. His eyes narrrowed beneath his sharp eyebrows as he nodded a marginal greeting to the unearthly stranger. He clutched the fragile cloth and muttered thanks benath his heavy breath and slipping a powerful arm round her delicate waist he led her back to the gathering. She walked as though still caught in a trance and rested her full weight on his solid shoulders.

The next thing she percieved was the delicious warmth of the fire and the encompassing protection of Aidan's arms circled round her as they both reclined against a pile of cushions on the ground near the fire. Nestling her head in the depths of his bare chest, she turned her vision toward the old Myrna plumply settled in her own nest of warm rugs and ready to tell the tale of the night.

Musical Thrills

So my steady walk through the metro station was most pleasently interupted when the sound of lilting flutes and rolling drums met my senses. They were wildly clothed. Abundence of brown leather, earthy tones...long hair bound by beads and feathers - they were native indians.
In the metro station. Playing such music that transports the mind and leaves the body in its constant motion unknowing. And away I went to and icy autumn's eveing on the shores of a grey ocean. Turbulent waves outdone only by the passion of the fire flames kept caged by a circle of stones.

And the flutes were there too...the drms played as well- but people were there. Colourful people. With long untamed hair, with skirts and trousers of hues varied...with scarves that flew in the wind, with smiles on their faces and energy in their step. They were dancing through this cold night, circling this vibrant fire that leant heat to heat and created a night of music and passion.

And her scarf was caught by the cunning wind...it flew in magical billowing waves through the iced air...flew into the dark, away from the gathering and into his open hand.